Belle Maison | The Bay House
When it was built in 2006, this waterfront home in Fairhope comprised 1980 square feet and eight rooms, fitting in a great deal of usage into less space than one might expect from gazing at the outside. Nearly 20 years later, the house has had some updates—both inside and out—making it more functional, more comfortable, and much more stylish.
Raised on pilings, the home has an open porch at ground level, with a newly enclosed portion that increases the useable space with features like a bed swing, game table and a workout area—all with fantastic views of the bay. Along with the enclosure are some other changes that increased the home’s usable space to 2400 square feet, the most fun being a new hidden loft area within the stairwell that is accessed through a concealed bookcase door. “This space is the perfect hideaway for quiet reading or an afternoon nap,” says Annie Ly Johnson, ASID, RID, CAPS and owner/designer of ALJ Interiors in Fairhope.
A new kitchen features a walk-in pantry and an island in place of the old u-shaped configuration to facilitate better flow for gathering, boasting porcelain slab countertops with mitered edges for a thick marble appearance and matching backsplash. Not to be overlooked are the stainless Bosch appliances, and dark painted custom cabinetry. In the adjacent laundry room, stacking the washer and dryer provided space to build a new powder room for guests without having to share the ensuite bathroom in the downstairs guest bedroom.